Resume Basics

I created my first resume         was the only style, the            as I was graduating from        traditional style when men         college and preparing to        dominated the workforce. Now, in   apply for my first professional       a changing workplace that          job. Some people have filled out      continues to evolve, additional    applications or been hired            resumes styles are used.           without one, but very quickly are                                        finding that if a potential           Essential Components of a Resume:  employer requires a resume, you                                          better have one. Today, high          •Work Experience – What have you   school students are learning the      done? Where did you do it? When    resume basics and creating one to     did you do it? Name the job title  sum up their high school work         and list or describe your          experiences, volunteerism,            responsibilities or                activities, achievements, etc. A      accomplishments. Use “action       resume is a basic to obtain           verbs” to describe your position.  professional work like have a         Words like, “operated, analyzed,   social security number.               prepared, or organized” are like                                         dabs of paint on your canvas as    The word resume is French for         you begin to create your resume,   “summing up.” So that’s what you      your masterpiece.                  need to do in one to two pages,                                          sum it up. Tons of books,             •Skills – What have you used in    workshops, and Internet searching     your position? What are you        can reveal the suggested formats      mastered? Are you skilled with     and examples for a resume. In a       computer programming? It so, what  nutshell, they include the            kind? Have you used teaching       chronological format, functional      skills, sales skills, or           format, and combination. For          leadership skills on the job?      years, the chronological resume       Describe how you used these        skills. Maybe you are detail          organizations. Perhaps you         oriented, a good time manager, or     assisted with the United Way       skilled on small engine repair.       Campaign at work, participated in  Tell the potential employer what      a walkathon for juvenile           you have to offer in your             diabetes, serve on the city        “toolbox of skills.”                  council, or are a leader for                                             scouting. An employer might like   •Education or Professional            to see someone who gets involved   Accomplishments – How much time       in the community.                  did you devote to higher                                                 education? If you have invested       A resume is a fluid document.      your time and money to obtain a       Keep it current. Continue to       degree or advanced degrees,           update, edit, or enhance as you    certifications, or licensures,        change employers or job title,     this is the place to share it. If     learn new skills, attend           you are returning to college or       professional training, take a      involved in continuing education,     college night class, etc. Review   tell the employer how you are         your resume every six months to    advancing your knowledge through      update the information while it    additional college training.          is fresh in your mind. The resume                                        should reflect your professional   •Volunteerism or Community            growth. Since it one or two        Involvement – For many years,         pages, “ancient history” of work   this category was overlooked or       experience from 15 years ago or    presumed as unnecessary. Today,       more can be summarized or omitted  many employers are asked to be on     depending on their relevancy.      boards, advisory committees, or       Most employers want to hire you    to make financial or volunteer        for your skills today, not         contributions to nonprofit            yesterday.                         About the Author: Barbara Wulf MS, GCDF, CPCC Barbara Wulf is a certified career/life coach and speaker who helps individuals redesign their career paths by supporting and inspiring them to stretch, seek, and achieve life/work success. Barbara holds a master's degree in counseling, is a global career development facilitator, is certified by The Coaches Training Institute and is an adjunct faculty member at Concordia University, St. Paul, MN. Barbara offers career assessments along with resume/cover letter writing and interviewing strategies for impact. Sign up for her monthly e-zine, OWN IT, WORK IT, LIVE IT at http://www.beckoncall-coach.com. Published At: www.Isnare.com